She is adored around the world for her sophisticated, restrained whodunnits.

But this Christmas, stunned Agatha Christie fans will be confronted with a controversial new interpretation of her work – featuring drug abuse, gruesome violence and swearing.

Last night, the BBC version of Dame Agatha’s novel And Then There Were None was condemned by an expert on the author’s work.

Dr John Curran, who has written acclaimed books on Christie, declared: ‘If her work has stood the test of time for almost a hundred years, I can’t see the point of tinkering with it like this. One of the reasons why she continues to appeal to readers of all ages is because she didn’t do violence and she didn’t do bad language.

‘In a Christie novel, people died off stage. There is no description of graphic death scenes.’

Scroll down for video

This Christmas, stunned Agatha Christie fans will be confronted with a controversial new interpretation of her work

The new show will be featuring drug abuse, gruesome violence and swearing. Pictured is Douglas Booth, as AJ Marston, taking cocaine

The three-episode BBC production – starring Miranda Richardson, Charles Dance, Sam Neill and Poldark star Aidan Turner – begins on BBC1 on Boxing Day. The basic plot is faithful to the novel, first published in 1939, but graphic and explicit detail has been added to appeal to younger audiences.

Just seven minutes into the first episode, Anthony Marston – a hedonistic playboy played by Riot Club star Douglas Booth – is seen snorting cocaine, although the drug does not feature in the book, widely regarded as Dame Agatha’s finest work.

Aiden Turner, as Philip Lombard, is seen with a gun

Minutes later a flashback sequence – which has also been invented for the drama – shows the character of Philip Lombard (played by Turner) splattered in blood.

There is also a harrowing sequence where two characters are shown suffocating an elderly woman with a pillow.

The Mail on Sunday understands the programmes will also include the use of expletives such as the F-word. In the final episode, Lombard will share a kiss with former governess Vera Claythorne, played by the Australian actress Maeve Dermody, even though it does not feature in the novel.

In another controversial scene, the increasingly hysterical guests will be shown getting drunk together.

Dr Curran said: ‘I know a lot of Christie fans had huge hopes for the series but if they are going to have appalling things like this then it’s not Agatha Christie.

‘The cocaine sequence and the bad language are not in the novel and they are totally unnecessary.’

The BBC hopes the popularity of Dame Agatha will ensure the drama, screened over three consecutive nights, will be a huge hit.

The producers say the changes tease out elements of what they claim is Christie’s darkest and most psychologically complex novel.

Executive producer Karen Thrussell said: ‘And Then There Were None is the first sort of slasher thriller ever written. It is the template of modern-day horror movies and she was the first to do that.’

There is a harrowing sequence where two characters are shown suffocating an elderly woman with a pillow

Thrussell also defended the decision to show two of the characters embarking on a sexual relationship.

She said: ‘I think it’s a very faithful adaptation but we take things a little further in some respects as it is 2015.

‘I don’t think we are doing anything disrespectful and, if Agatha was here today, she would do the same thing. In the book there is a lot of sexual tension between two characters who don’t actually have sex.

‘In our version you see them coming together and kissing.’

Director Craig Viveiros said: ‘It’s about turning the idea of a Christie on its head and pushing it forward to a new generation.

‘I tried to express to the cast that this was not going to be a typical adaptation. This was going to be bold, exciting and very dark.’

Director Craig Viveiros said: ‘It’s about turning the idea of a Christie on its head and pushing it forward to a new generation'

Executive producer Karen Thrussell said: ‘And Then There Were None is the first sort of slasher thriller ever written. It is the template of modern-day horror movies and she was the first to do that'